SU-100
Overview
SU-100
Restored SU-100 tank destroyer on public display in 2013.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Soviet Union - No. 174 plant (1947 - 1948)
Czechoslovakia - (1951 - 1956)
Obyekt 138
Vietnam
Egypt
China
Czechoslovakia
North Korea
Description
Introduction
The SU-100 is a World War 2 era tank destroyer of Soviet origin. It was developed early 1944 as a more capable alternative to the SU-85. Compared to the earlier SU-85 the SU-100 is both more powerful and better protected over the frontal arc.
Layout
The SU-100 is a gun based turret-less tank destroyer based on the chassis of the T-34 tank. The casemate superstructure mounts the 100mm D-10S rifled gun and houses the 4 men crew. The downside of the casemate superstructure is the limited traverse of the gun. The engine and drivetrain are located at the rear. This arrangement is very similar to the earlier SU-85, but the internal arrangement in the superstructure has been improved.
Firepower
The SU-100 is armed with the D-10S rifled cannon, for which 33 shells are carried. A slightly modified variant of this cannon arms the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks. For World War 2 standards this is a very powerful cannon. It allowed the SU-100 to engage the Nazi German Panther tank head on at ranges up to 1.5 km. With improved ammunition the D-10S proved to be a potent cannon throughout the early Cold War era.
Protection
The SU-100 features welded steel armor. It is operated from under full armor protection. Compared to the earlier SU-85 the frontal armor was increased from 45mm to 75mm. There are no smoke grenade dischargers or NBC system.
Mobility
The SU-100 is based on the chassis of the T-34 tank and uses Christie suspension. The tracked chassis allows for good off road mobility. The V12 diesel engine provides up to 520 hp. The maximum speed is 50 km/h on roads and about 20 km/h in the field.
Users
The SU-100 was widely used in the final year of World War 2. It proved to be a potent weapon and was able to engage the latest and most capable German tanks. Nearly 5.000 SU-100 were produced until the late 1950's, with about 3.000 used in World War 2. After World War 2 it remained in use and was widely exported to Soviet allies. It is well known for being used in various conflicts in the Middle East, most notably against Israel. Nowadays the SU-100 is considered obsolete, but remains in long term storage in several nations.
Details
Media
SU-100
Two restored SU-100 during a public display.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
SU-100
SU-100 in Soviet military on the Red Square in 1945.
Source: www.mil.ry
Copyright: Public domain
SU-100
Restored SU-100 tank destroyer on display in 2017.
Source: Richenza
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
SU-100
SU-100 tank destroyer captured by Israel on display in a museum
Source: Bukvoed
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
SU-100
SU-100 tank destroyer on display in a museum in Germany.
Source: Franco Atirador
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
100mm BS-3
The SU-100 uses a 100mm rifled gun derived from the towed BS-3 anti-tank gun. The gun differs in mounting mechanism and has no muzzle brake on the SU-100.
100mm D-10S
The SU-100 was armed with the D-10S, a variant of the D-10 gun specifically intended to be mounted in a casemate superstructure.